Overview
- The IMD has issued cold wave warnings for Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh for the next few days.
- Delhi logged a minimum of 3.2°C, the coldest January day since 2023, with the IMD projecting maximum temperatures to hover near 18–20°C.
- Dense to very dense fog is forecast at isolated places across several northern states through January 15, raising visibility and travel concerns.
- Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 297 as many stations reached the 'very poor' category, and AQWS expects 'very poor' air from January 13–15; DSS estimated transport at 13.7% and local/peripheral industry at 11.6% of pollution on January 12.
- Station readings across the capital were several notches below normal, the season’s first cold-wave episode was confirmed by IMD, and officials cautioned about risks to health, agriculture, utilities and transport.